Detroit plans to lay off 150 police officers

DETROIT -- Facing a budget crisis, Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings announced plans Monday to lay off 150 police officers and merge the city's 12 police precincts into six district stations.

In addition, the department's command staff will be downsized, with those savings used to allow 35 to 40 police officers to keep their jobs.

Bully-Cummings said she also will reallocate officers assigned to desk and other support functions, freeing up about 250 officers and allowing a net gain of about 100 officers on patrol after the layoffs.